Page 161 of Between Two Kings
“There is no more suitable match for me.”
Caspen gave her a small smile. “I agree.”
It was unfathomable to Tem that everyone would be so involved in their business. Basilisks were so nosy. Everything was a community event—every decision needed approval—everything was voted on and discussed and considered by a great many people before it was allowed. She couldn’t understand it. For all the freedoms the basilisks enjoyed in their sex lives, the rest of their society was rigidly structured. It was a bizarre juxtaposition and one Tem would never get used to.
“You said they will present a suitable match,” she said slowly.
“That is correct,” answered Adelaide.
“So who will they present?”
Adelaide glanced at Caspen. “We…cannot know for sure. Only the highest-ranking male has the power to contest a marriage.”
“And who is their highest-ranking male?”
Caspen rolled his shoulders. Tem knew him well enough by now to know that something bad was incoming.
“Who, Caspen?” Tem insisted. But she already knew.
There was only one Seneca who would care enough to contest her marriage to Caspen—one man who would do anything to destroy the home she’d built here.
Tem already knew.
But Caspen answered anyway. “Rowe.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Rowe.
The very basilisk she wished never to see again, the one who had irreparably hurt her and Caspen. The basilisk who wished her dead.
“But Rowe hates me.”
“He does not hate you, Tem,” Caspen said. “He is envious of your power, and he carries a grudge against me. Marrying you would kill two birds with one stone.”
“But he—he doesn’t even have a—”
Caspen knew where she was going and answered, “A cock is not a requirement for marriage, Tem.”
“It is for me.”
Both basilisks smiled, but their grins quickly faded.
“Rowe is not the only factor at play,” Adelaide continued. “They will present Eros as well.”
“Who’s Eros?” Tem interjected.
“Rowe’s older brother.”
“He has a brother?”
“He does.”
This was terrible news to Tem. One Rowe was bad enough. Now there were two of them?
Adelaide turned to Caspen. “Eros is known for his bloodlust,” she said, her mouth tight with worry. “Rowe would be preferable.”
“Neither would be preferable,” Tem snapped. Caspen had to win. Any other result was unacceptable to her.
